Bayan Muna-Southern Tagalog (ST) announced on the afternoon of April 28 that, together with relatives, it has located missing party campaigner and Kadamay-Southern Tagalog organizer Pauline Joy Banjawan. Banjawan’s last contact was on the afternoon of April 26 while she was in the third district of Batangas and reported to friends that suspicious individuals were following her.

Bayan Muna-ST found Banjawan at the police station in Santo Tomas, Batangas. According to a fact-finding mission led by the party, the 59th IB abducted her. They also learned that before she was brought to the Philippine National Police Santo Tomas at 9 p.m. on April 27, she endured physical and mental torture in the hands of the soldiers.

Bayan Muna ST stated that Banjawan was charged with fabricated criminal cases of illegal possession of firearms and explosives. The party asserted that this is merely a tactic by the military and police to cover up their numerous human rights violations and abuses against Banjawan.

“This is clearly part of using fabricated cases against individuals like Banjawan, who serve and expend their efforts to advance meaningful change and act as voices for the oppressed,” Bayan Muna-ST declared.

Karapatan-ST also condemned Banjawan’s abduction and detention. They stated the abduction is part of the regime’s ongoing militarization designed to suppress genuine opposition ahead of the May elections. “This is not just an attack on activists but also an attack on the democratic process itself,” Karapatan-ST spokesperson Rev. Luisito Saliendra said.

Meanwhile, Karapatan-ST revealed that apart from Banjawan, Desiree B. Dimailig, coordinator of Gabriela Women’s Partylist in Batangas and auditor of Sugarfolks Unity for Genuine Agricultural Reform-Batangas, has also experienced harassment and surveillance by the 59th IB and state forces.

Bayan Muna and Karapatan in the region called for Banjawan’s immediate release and the dismissal of charges against her. They also demanded that the 59th IB cease harassing campaigners for the 2025 elections and mass leaders of democratic organizations.